Washington State’s Health Care Authority reminded applicants Monday that they can still apply for new or renewed Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage in the state’s Washington Healthplanfinder exchange in coming days.
A midnight December 23 deadline for starting the application process applies only to people in the market for subsidized or full-payment private plans. A contingency plan for those applicants was released last week. It will allow late signups, provided they get the application process started by midnight tonight and complete the process, including the first monthly premium, by January 15.
The important December 23 deadline for Qualified Health Plans does not impact families already enrolled in or otherwise eligible for Apple Health coverage, specifically:
· More than 60,000 current Apple Health clients have been notified that their annual reviews are due this month and that they need to fill out the review in wahealthplanfinder.org by December 31 or face termination of their coverage until their continued eligibility can be verified.
· New applicants for Apple Health do not face enrollment deadlines, and Apple Health coverage is generally effective immediately on the day of application. Uninsured families uncertain of their eligibility status under the Affordable Care Act are encouraged to visit www.WAHealthplanfinder.org and heed all timelines to ensure no unnecessary delay in coverage.
Apple Health enrollment is open year round. Applicants for subsidized or full-payment private plans have until March 31 to sign up for coverage and avoid a penalty, but coverage will not begin until they make their first premium payment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR BACKGROUND:
The Medicaid Expansion 2014 website: www.hca.wa.gov/hcr/me
The Health Benefit Exchange website: www.WAHBExchange.org
Jim Stevenson, Communications, HCA jim.stevenson
Beth Luce, Communications, HCA elisibeth.luce|
Michael Marchand, Communications, HBE, 360-688-7745
Bethany Frey, Communications, HBE, 360-688-7752